Senior dies after fall from chairlift

75-year-old woman fell two feet from raised platform

A 75-year-old woman died Thursday whilst attempting to download on the Solar Coaster chairlift.

A news release from the Whistler RCMP reports that at about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday the woman, a Canadian tourist from outside British Columbia, was trying to get on one of the chairs to get down the mountain. It's believed she was struck by an incoming chair as she looked back and fell two feet from a raise platform, down on to a gravel rock landing that's used to support the platform.

Whistler Blackcomb staff and emergency services attended to the scene and attempted CPR on the woman before she was airlifted to the Whistler Health Care Centre for emergency care.

Police were advised of the incident at about 5:12 p.m. and they were notified a short time later by the Coroner that she succumbed to her injuries and died.

Immediate family has been notified of her death but her name is not being released as relatives are still letting loved ones know about the incident.

It was initially reported that the woman fell four metres but the RCMP later clarified that it was two feet. Police are now working in an assistance role to help the Coroner with her investigation.

"We've concluded, at this point, that there's nothing to suggest there was any criminal activity," said RCMP Sgt. Shawn LeMay. "There was no foul play. This was a tragic accident and so our investigation adjusts slightly in the sense we are in an assistance role in what is a Coroner's Act investigation."

Whistler Blackcomb put out a statement Thursday saying that the company's Critical Incident Team has made contact with the woman's family and will provide "as much support as possible in this time of need." It expressed "sincere condolences" to family and friends for their loss.